Healthcare Coordinating Council; reconstitute and require to make report on specific health goals for the state.
Impact
The impact of HB29 on state laws includes the re-establishment of the Healthcare Coordinating Council, which will comprise a diverse group of members from various backgrounds, including legislators, health care professionals, and consumers. This council will play a crucial role in shaping health policy in Mississippi over the next decade by defining preventive health care strategies and setting measurable health outcomes. Key objectives include addressing maternal and child health, increasing health insurance coverage, and targeting chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity.
Summary
House Bill 29 seeks to reenact Sections 41-105-1 and 41-105-3 of the Mississippi Code, which were previously repealed. The primary purpose of the bill is to reconstitute the Healthcare Coordinating Council and mandate the establishment of a comprehensive preventive health care plan for the state. The council will be tasked with developing a report outlining health goals for Mississippi, which is to be submitted to the legislature and the governor by the 2025 Regular Session.
Contention
Noteworthy points of contention could arise regarding the appointments to the council, as the bill stipulates the need for diversity in terms of gender, race, and geography during the selection process. Stakeholders may debate the emphasis placed on specific health goals and the feasibility of meeting them by the established deadlines. Moreover, funding and resource allocation for the proposed health initiatives may also be a source of discussion among legislators, as they will assess the projected costs and benefits of these preventive health programs.